Tempdb Space Usage in SQL Server
We all know how important tempdb is and know that tempdb gets recreated every time SQL Server is restarted. Here we dig a little deeper to focus on how space is used inside tempdb.
Cost of the Cloud
The cloud should bring with it lower costs, and better efficiency, but that's not necessarily the way things are. Microsoft has a great internal project that costs out the cloud for their departments, and this would be a great addition to the public or private clouds.
Optimizing a cursor based routine – Part 1
Learn how you can remove a cursor and optimize a routine that loops through a series of data and performs various calculations in this short article from Dave Ballantyne.
TSQL Challenge 59 - Playing Chess in TSQL – Part 2
Your job is to generate a string using Forsyth-Edwards Notation which represents the final position of pieces after performing a series of moves from the original position
Where Do You Go for Authoritative SQL Server Best Practices?
There is now a vast amount of SQL Server information and 'best practice' advice available on the Internet, in the form of innumerable blogs, community sites and forums. Finding an answer to your question is relatively easy, but finding the right, or best, answer is harder than ever.
Highlighting repeating groups in SSRS 2008 R2 charts
In a typical bar chart, the height of the bars represents the value of the data along the X axis and the Y axis represents the category of the data point. All these values can be classified in logical groups depending upon the logic used for analysis. One general requirement that arises in the case of repeating groups, is to highlight these groups without representing it on the X or Y scale. In this tip we will look at how to address this requirement.
Taking It to the Extreme: SQLCLR and Parallelism
Learn to use SQLCLR, parallelism and how to write better performing SQL code from MVP Adam Machanic in New York City on July 14-15. Early bird discounts available with the code "EARLYBIRD".
Regular Audit Analysis
This Friday Steve Jones asks about how you handle audit data in your environment. Do you regularly analyze the data? Or do you wait for something to go wrong before you check the data.
Blogs
A Spread of Vacation
By Steve Jones
I’m off on vacation today. Which is a little weird as I just got...
How AgentDBA Identifies Backup Failures
By Arun Sirpal
Every DBA has a box like this. Sitting untouched for months. Nobody’s proud of...
Tip: Expanding a SQL statement
In all recent versions of the database you can call DBMS_UTILITY.EXPAND_SQL_TEXT to get the...
Forums
From SQL Server On-Premises to Claude Desktop: How I built a Full MCP Pipeline
Comments posted to this topic are about the item From SQL Server On-Premises to...
Independence Day 2026
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Independence Day 2026
Independence Day 2026
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Independence Day 2026
Question of the Day
Independence Day 2026
In the original Independence Day movie (1996), what type of computer did Jeff Goldblum use to connect to the alien mainframe? Take a guess, don't look it up or ask AI.
See possible answers